The ordinance bans large amounts of crude oil from being loaded onto tankers in the city's harbor.

The practice is not happening right now, and supporters say this is a preventative measure.

The working waterfront coalition, which is against the ordinance, says the vote only deepens the divide among city residents on the issue.

The group says it will consider all options for appealing the vote.

Supporters of the Clear Skies Ordinance gathered on the water at Maine State Pier Tuesday morning to celebrate their victory.

"I can safely say all of us are exhausted and exhilarated," said Mary-Jane Ferrier of Protect South Portland.

She was with one of several groups who came out to congratulate the community on the effort to ban the bulk loading of tar sands onto tankers on the waterfront. It also forbids the construction of infrastructure for that purpose.

Andy Jones of the Toxic Action Center said if allowed, tar sands processing facilities would have dramatically changed the the scenery and air quality in the area.

SOUTH PORTLAND MAY BE HEADING TO COURT OVER ITS NEWEST ORDINANCE. THE "CLEAR SKIES" ORDINANCE BANS THE TRANSFER OF CRUDE OIL ONTO BARGES DOCKED IN ALONG THE SOUTH PORTLAND WATERFRONT. TODAY, SUPPORTERS RALLIED TO CELEBRATE THEIR VICTORY -- CLAIMING THE ORDINANCE CAN WITHSTAND LEGAL CHALLENGES. "it's a really big victory, and it's not your everyday or average victory, it is a victory of citizen organizing a tremendous win for citizens organizing against the biggest industry in the entire world." OPPONENTS SAY THEY'RE EVALUATING ALL OPTIONS TO GET THIS ORDINANCE REPEALED, WHICH COULD INCLUDE A